Faculty, Assistant or Associate Professor - Public Policy

Faculty, Assistant or Associate Professor - Public Policy

• Salary: Depends on Qualifications
• Location: Main Campus - Orem
• Job Type: FT Faculty
• Job Number: FY2706663
• Division: VP Academic Affairs
• Department: College of Humanities/Social Scienc
• Opening Date: 10/27/2026
• Closing Date: 11/29/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Required Documents Needed to Apply

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents

• Research Statement
• Course Syllabus/Outline
• Other

Position Announcement

The History and Political Science Department (HPS) at Utah Valley University (UVU), housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in Public Policy. The standard teaching load for tenure-track faculty at UVU is four courses per semester. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty to develop and establish curriculum, activities, processes, and resources that support students’ development of public policy knowledge, skills, and values. The successful candidate will teach lower-division courses as needed by the department and upper-division courses in Public Policy or Public Administration, with a preference for those candidates who can teach our Policy Analysis course. The policy specialty is open, but expertise in areas such as environmental, housing, energy, or transportation policy is desired. The candidate may have the option to teach in the online Master of Public Administration program within the College of Health and Public Service (CHPS).

UVU offers extensive resources and workshops to expand and enhance teaching abilities. The successful candidate is expected to use pedagogical methods that emphasize student engagement, identify measurable course objectives, and evaluate learning using methods appropriate to the discipline. The successful candidate will have opportunities to partner with various campus institutes (including, but not limited to, the Gary R. Herbert Institute of Public Policy). UVU values broad perspectives and seeks to provide a respectful, safe atmosphere in our program.

HPS at UVU currently serves nearly 300 Political Science majors and teaches thousands through required general education courses. Our approach to education is student-centered and demands a high level of faculty-student engagement, with substantial institutional support for engaging students in faculty research. CHSS and the institution support a strong work-life balance.

UVU, the state's largest public university, sits at the base of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range amid a spectacular landscape in Orem, Utah. Its main campus is just minutes from Provo Canyon and Sundance Ski Resort, and a short drive from Salt Lake City.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Teach a standard tenure-track faculty load of four courses per semester, including lower-division political science and public policy courses as needed by the department. Teach upper-division courses in Public Policy and/or Public Administration.
• Develop and deliver instruction in Policy Analysis, if qualified. Teach courses in specialized policy areas such as environmental, housing, energy, transportation, or related public policy fields.
• Collaborate with department faculty to develop, enhance, and assess Public Policy curriculum. Assist in establishing academic programs, processes, activities, and resources that support student learning and success in Public Policy.
• Utilize effective, student-centered teaching practices that promote engagement and learning. Teach in a variety of instructional formats, including face-to-face, hybrid, online, and large-enrollment courses.
• Maintain expertise in current scholarship and emerging developments within Public Policy, Public Administration, and Political Science. Conduct scholarly research and disseminate findings through presentations, publications, and other professional activities.
• Engage in ongoing professional development related to teaching, research, leadership, and disciplinary expertise. Mentor undergraduate students and incorporate them into research and scholarly activities where appropriate.
• Supervise and support student-driven research projects. Participate in department, college, and university service activities, including committee work and program development initiatives.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments and colleges to advance interdisciplinary teaching and learning opportunities. Potentially teach graduate-level courses in the online Master of Public Administration program within the College of Health and Public Service.
• Contribute to a positive academic environment that supports students with various educational experiences, abilities, and backgrounds. Effectively communicate complex public policy concepts to students, colleagues, and external audiences through oral and written communication.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• Graduation from a regionally accredited university with an earned doctoral degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or Public Policy.
• Ph.D. in Political Science or Public Policy or a related field must be completed by the date of appointment.
• Candidates must have a minimum of 2 years' experience in teaching at the university level.
• Evidence of college-level teaching (including the role of TA)
• Candidates who are ABD will be considered if they complete the doctorate (dissertation defended and accepted by the graduating institution) by June 30, 2027.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous teaching experience at the college level in one or more of the following areas:
  • Public Policy
  • Public Administration
• Demonstrate the ability to teach a course on Policy Analysis
• Demonstrate the ability to teach in policy areas such as environmental, housing, transportation, and energy policy
• Frequent and consistent engagement in professional development activities (including, but not limited to, teaching, research, methods, and leadership).
• Demonstrate the ability to mentor and conduct research with undergraduate students.
• Ability to teach online courses.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• Teaching Philosophy

Optional Application Materials:

• Sample Syllabi
• Teaching Evaluations
• Research Statement

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge and skills in public policy, instructional theory, methods strategies and techniques.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated use of engaged teaching techniques.
• Knowledge of and openness to multiple approaches to teaching political science.

Skills

• Demonstrable teaching experience in an environment that features a student body with different abilities and educational backgrounds.
• Skilled in effective oral and written communication, including the ability to communicate to different audiences

Abilities

• Ability to remain familiar with and contribute to advancing current scholarship in political science and communicate scholarly work through presentations and publications
• Ability to include undergraduate researchers in scholarly activities and supervise student-driven research.
• Ability to effectively teach by implementing appropriate pedagogy, clear presentation and preparation, and maintaining a student-centered approach to education.
• Ability and willingness to teach face-to-face, hybrid, online, and large classes (60+)

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant’s qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Utah Valley University’s dedication to exceptional care offers quality service and benefits to employees while staying committed to meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.

UVU is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees and their family’s overall physical and mental health, protects their income in case of unforeseen illness and life events, and assists in building financial security for retirement and the future.

Highlights from Utah Valley University’s benefits package include:

• Medical network and plan options with low employee premiums
• Employer HSA contribution for those that elect the university’s High-Deductible Health Plan
• Other tax advantage, reimbursement account options (i.e. Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care)
• Dental and vision plan options
• Incentivized wellness program
• Employer paid basic life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan with an employer contribution of 14.2% based on employee’s compensation (100% vested on first day of full-time employment)
• Undergraduate tuition remission benefit waiving up to 18 credit hours (each semester) for employees and their eligible dependents (spouses & children dependents unmarried and up to age 26)
• Generous leave package which includes sick, vacation (staff only), and personal leave; 13 paid holidays; paid medical maternity and parental leave

For more information about the benefits offered, visit https://www.uvu.edu/peopleandculture/benefits.